The hosts dive into the highs and lows of the Season 1 finale of ‘Bad Monkey.’ They tackle the pacing issues and character arcs, especially reflecting on Yancy's pivotal moment. Vince Vaughn’s performance is praised as a strong anchor for the show. The conversation shifts to the mix of humor and body horror, especially the memorable Pomeranian scene. They ponder the series' overall enjoyment and dissect the balance between comedy and drama, all while holding out hopes for a potential second season.
37:34
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Quick takeaways
The podcast critiques 'Bad Monkey' for overstaying its welcome, particularly in its last four episodes that suffered from pacing issues.
Hosts highlight Vince Vaughn's performance as a pivotal anchor for the show while suggesting a future anthology format to enhance storytelling.
Deep dives
Overstaying its Welcome
The podcast discusses the finale of a show that, while it started strong, ultimately overstayed its welcome by dragging out its narrative. The hosts feel that the last four episodes suffered from pacing issues and excessive filler content, diminishing the impact of the story. They express that the first six episodes were enjoyable, leading to disappointment with the seemingly endless conclusions and character arcs that felt unnecessary. The extended runtime allowed for moments that should have been impactful to fizzle out, leaving a lackluster finale.
Character Arcs Diminished
Character arcs throughout the season are analyzed, with specific attention drawn to how some characters became less engaging as the show progressed. The hosts argue that several characters were overexplained, stripping away the intrigue that initially made them captivating. This is highlighted with examples like Michelle Monaghan’s character, who had a seemingly perfect exit in an earlier episode but remained in the story longer than needed, diluting her significance. They suggest that not every character requires a detailed backstory, as it can undermine their impact when they appear again.
Mystery and Resolution
The discussion pivots to the show’s handling of its central mystery, reflecting on how more time was spent resolving it than building suspense. The hosts note that the allure of a mystery often lies in its setup rather than its resolution, which can often lead to unsatisfying conclusions. They mention that by the time answers were provided, the narrative felt drawn out and lost its dynamism, especially in the last episodes. The conversation reveals a consensus that audiences can often find more enjoyment in the journey towards unraveling mysteries rather than the solutions themselves.
Future Directions for the Series
Looking ahead, the hosts express a desire for potential future seasons to capitalize on the strengths of the show while addressing its weaknesses. They propose a shorter format with fewer character arcs, allowing characters to exist in their quirks without needing overarching narratives. The notion of anthology-style storytelling is suggested, where Yancey and Roe could remain central while new characters come into focus each season. This flexibility could refresh the series, maintaining its core appeal while allowing for unique narratives to unfold, possibly with cameo appearances from other actors for added excitement.
Jo and Rob hop aboard an airboat and ride off into the sunset to recap the ‘Bad Monkey’ Season 1 finale. They discuss how the Apple TV+ series somewhat overstayed its welcome, whether they want another season of ‘Bad Monkey,’ and Yancy’s significant character moment at the end (1:21). Later, they talk about how Vince Vaughn’s performance anchored the show and their thoughts on where many of the side character arcs landed (16:34).